Doris Cohen Receives Shehechyanu Award

Doris Cohen, a teacher at the JCC New Albany Preschool, was named the Shehechyanu Teacher of the Year during the JCC's 2008 Annual Meeting on May 27.

"Doris became a vital part of our lead teaching team [when she arrived in 2005], and immediately embraced our philosophies of educating each child as an individual," said Nancy Thoman, director of the JCC's Early Childhood Services in New Albany. "She strives to excite and enrich each child's Judaic, academic and social learning experience."

The Annual Meeting marked the 10th year the Shehechyanu award has been given. (The "Shehechyanu" is a Hebrew blessing said at joyous events.) Cohen was one of 16 teachers from all three JCC preschools who were nominated. According to Thoman, her students and parents paid her high compliments in their nomination letters, which then were submitted to a parent board for review during the decision-making process.

"We can't thank Ms. Doris enough for everything she has done for our daughter. I sometimes wonder if G-d brought us here to meet you and the JCC," wrote one family.

"Ms. Doris will never be forgotten for the tremendous impact she has had on our child," wrote another. A grandfather wrote in his nomination letter, "To teach is to show the way. Thank you for blessing our children with that special gift."

Cohen said she is in awe and grateful not only for the opportunity to teach in what she calls an "amazing team environment," but also "for being able to meet my personal and professional goals of instilling a love of learning in each and every child entrusted to my care. With patience, understanding and creativity; all children have the potential to attain the goals that we as teachers and that they, themselves set for them."

A graduate of Dickenson University in Teaneck, N.J., Cohen went on to teach preschool through 5th grades in both the New Jersey and Florida school systems. She and her husband, Allan, have two sons and five grandchildren.